Video from Dart River ride in Glenorchy

Check out the crazy Dart River and a jet boat similar to the one we were in! YIKES!

Bringing in Twenty Ten... in Queenstown

I can not think of a better place to bring in the New Year than in Queenstown, New Zealand! Mel and I flew into Queenstown around 9 a.m. on the 31st and Aaron picked us up shortly afterward. After a quick trip to the grocery and an even quicker nap, we were mixing cocktails with Charlotte, Simon, Stacy, Bails, Dan, Emmy and Billy in our amazing apartment over looking Lake Wakatipu. Around 11 p.m. we headed out to Barluga for the slightly blurry NYE countdown. Impressively, Mel and I both lasted later than 2:30 a.m. at the bar... not too shabby for the lack of sleep and jet lag.

The next day, we were a bit slow, but we managed to head out to Arrowtown - a sleepy town that was booming in the New Zealand Gold Rush era. Although the Gold is no longer there, the town still has all its charm. Mel found some great buys in the little shops and we enjoyed a cuppa out in the beautiful sunshine that always finds Arrowtown.

Following our relaxing New Years Day, Aaron booked us three on a three hour Jet Boat ride down the Dart River in Glenorchy (imagine Lord of the Rings region). It was stunning and wonderful and totally worth the pretty penny, plus we lucked out that the New Zealand Weather Gods were in a calm mood that day (we all know they can get a bit feisty).

The rest of the time in Queenstown, we spent reading our books in the sunshine on the patio and cooking BBQs with friends and enjoying the scenery of Q-town.

Mel and I had a blast for NYE, but we sure did miss ringing in the new year with our big group of friends, but we know you girls had no problems kicking in 2010 in great fashion and style!!

There is no place like home for the holidays....

This statement has never meant so much or made so much sense to me, but now living on the opposite side of the world and knowing no one from the first 30 years of my life... there really is no place to be for Christmas than home with friends and family.

The familiarity of home. The smell of home. The feeling of fitting right back in where I left off. It is all here and it is all the same (for the most part). Little things you notice when you return home are the little things you missed when you are away.

Haley with her cute Nutcracker and Christmas decor put up with such love and care in her house. Mandy, the problem solver. Melanie, the good sister who drives to dallas to see me for one night. Mom with her 50 hours of recorded television saved just for me (as if I have time to watch it all). Dad who can't sit still. Good friends, plenty of wine and terrific food at Molly and Chuck's Christmas party.



All these things would be the same if I wasn't here, but being able to notice that I miss them and being able to appreciate that I miss them, makes them all the more wonderful.

Only on Day 4 of my trip home, but I am so happy to be here and thankful to be surrounded by almost everyone I love. If only Aaron could be in Texas too... this Christmas would be perfect.

Coming home!

Well, I am about to start packing for the big trip home! Looking forward to Texas Christmas.

I board my plane at 2 p.m. today (7 p.m. your Thursday). Wish me safe travels and I will see you all very soon.

much love...

We Moved!!!

Thank God almighty.... Aaron and I are out of our crap apartment. We moved. We (he) owns a house now! We are in the land of the living!!! There is light in my house now. There is heat. There is space. I am happy.

I will post more pictures but here are a couple. We have a great view and a bit of a yard... not much though (but we kind of like it that way. Not much to do!)

Christchurch with Ben Harper & Pearl Jam

Thanksgiving weekend, Aaron and I and all of Dunedin went on a road trip to Christchurch. Not since the Kings of Leon concert in April has there been a more talked about concert here in New Zealand (well, at least the lower half of NZ).

I have posted some pictures from the concert. It was a great concert, although I was a bit disappointed in Ben Harper (who I love), but Pearl Jam put on one hell of a show. And to those of you who saw them at Austin City Limits... he drank from a bottle of wine the entire set.

Rachel's 22nd Birtday

On Nov 26th, Aaron's little sister, Rachel, turned 22. Ah, to be 22 again....

The whole family got together for dinner at the latest, greatest, Dunedin hot spot restaurant - Pier 24. And I must admit, I was impressed. The service (which is non-existent in NZ) was wonderful, the ambience was beautiful and the food was amazing.
We had a great night with the family for Rachel's birthday.